Infomercials promising to spot reduce bodyfat: we've all seen them. That is, they promise to give you flat, toned abs, or firm thighs, or slender, toned arms, or to eliminate cellulite, or whatever else. Did you know that some of those "shows" cost up to a million dollars to produce? They’re incredibly slick productions with beautiful models, exotic settings and best of all - great models who have been dieting for months, under great lighting and with makeup!
These shows promise that ten minutes a day, 3 times per week with their "technologically advanced" product will bring you amazing "spot reduction/tightening/firming/flattening/development" of particular body parts. Their message is so compelling (especially at 3 am!) that it can be really hard to keep your credit card in your wallet. Don’t feel bad if you’ve purchased one or more of these gizmos: you’re not alone. Millions of people have. And I would venture to say that 99% of those people did not get their results that were advertised. Why?
Because "spot reduction" doesn’t work. It's impossible to spot reduce bodyfat from a particular area of your choosing, and if someone tells you you can, they are lying to you. However, the picture is not entirely depressing.
If you wish you could spot reduce bodyfat from your stomach, go here for some tips that actually work. Many people spend most of their workout time in a misguided effort to spot reduce, doing movements such as leg lifts, inner and outer thigh machines, and, the perennial favorite, ab work in their quest to spot reduce bodyfat.
I find that my clients get better and faster results getting the body they want by focusing on weight training the major muscle groups (for example, squats and chest press) and doing cardio to burn the fat. I have seen amazing six-pack abs on people who never directly work their abs - but they have tight, fit bodies including abs because they have worked hard on their lifting and cardio, and taken the proper diet to reduce bodyfat levels.
The abs work as stabilizer muscles during almost every free weight and bodyweight exercise, so oftentimes you'll find that you've had a beautiful midsection there all along: it was just a matter of stripping off the fat. Of course, it is important to work all the muscles in your body, so I recommend training the abs like any other body part: 2-3 exercises for 8-12 reps, adding resistance if possible. For some sample ab workouts go here.
Check out my new book Change Your Weighs.
I have been helping folks worldwide via Zoom sessions since 2018, and helping in-home since 2004. Go here for more info. You can also schedule a Free 15 minute Consultation with me to get quick questions answered and to learn more about what we offer.